Git
In Appalachian speech, "git" is the common pronunciation of "get," used in everyday conversation for everything from fetching something to leaving quickly.
Pronunciation
[GIT]
Meaning & Usage
- Obtain or fetch (verb)
Elmer:
Git me that hammer from the porch.
Git me that hammer from the porch.
Estel:
Reckon it’s still out there.
Reckon it’s still out there.- Become (verb)
Elmer:
It’s gittin’ cold out here.
It’s gittin’ cold out here.
Estel:
Let’s head inside.
Let’s head inside.- Leave quickly (verb)
Elmer:
You better git before the storm hits.
You better git before the storm hits.
Estel:
Already on my way.
Already on my way.variations: get, gittin, gittin’,
★ When someone says "Git!" to a dog or a kid, it’s not a suggestion - it’s an order. ★
Origin
From Old Norse "geta" via Middle English "geten," meaning to obtain or acquire. "Git" is a natural phonetic spelling of the way "get" is pronounced in much of the South and Appalachia.
Notes
"Git" appears in many fixed phrases in Appalachian speech, such as "git to work," "git on outta here," and "git along." The dropping or softening of the "e" vowel is typical in regional accents.